Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs — Oct. 12, 2016

Toronto's first-round pick Auston Matthews had sky-high expectations entering the 2016 season, and man did he live up to them, becoming the first NHLer to score four goals in his debut, though his Maple Leafs fell to the Senators 5-4 in overtime.

Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs — Oct. 12, 2016

Toronto's first-round pick Auston Matthews had sky-high expectations entering the 2016 season, and man did he live up to them, becoming the first NHLer to score four goals in his debut, though his Maple Leafs fell to the Senators 5-4 in overtime.

Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans — Sept. 13, 2015

In his first game ever, which also happened to be against the quarterback that was taken one pick before him in the draft (that'd be the Bucs' Jameis Winston), Mariota became the first rookie in NFL history to throw four touchdowns in the first half. He was 10 of 13 passes for 175 yards and four touchdowns at the end of the first half(!!), and finished the game 13 of 16 for 209 yards. You read that right--he finished with more touchdowns than incompletions.

Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans — Sept. 13, 2015

In his first game ever, which also happened to be against the quarterback that was taken one pick before him in the draft (that'd be the Bucs' Jameis Winston), Mariota became the first rookie in NFL history to throw four touchdowns in the first half. He was 10 of 13 passes for 175 yards and four touchdowns at the end of the first half(!!), and finished the game 13 of 16 for 209 yards. You read that right--he finished with more touchdowns than incompletions.

Steven Matz, New York Mets — June 28, 2015

In an astonishing and storybook debut, Matz became the only major league pitcher and the first player in franchise history (at any position!) to drive in four runs in his first career game, while leading the Mets to a 7-2 victory over the Reds. He did also pitch 7 2/3 innings, allowing just two runs and striking out six.

Steven Matz, New York Mets — June 28, 2015

In an astonishing and storybook debut, Matz became the only major league pitcher and the first player in franchise history (at any position!) to drive in four runs in his first career game, while leading the Mets to a 7-2 victory over the Reds. He did also pitch 7 2/3 innings, allowing just two runs and striking out six.

Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins — Sept. 9, 2012

Ah, the future once looked so bright. Griffin's debut was a gem: he went 19 of 26 for 320 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, and rushed for 42 yards on nine carries. Oh, and his first NFL touchdown came on one play on his second drive of the game—an 88-yard throw to Pierre Garcon. The rookie outdid Drew Brees, and led the Redskins to a 40–32 win over the Saints becoming the first QB to throw for more than 300 yards in a winning debut (Cam's 422-yard debut was a loss).

Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins — Sept. 9, 2012

Ah, the future once looked so bright. Griffin's debut was a gem: he went 19 of 26 for 320 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, and rushed for 42 yards on nine carries. Oh, and his first NFL touchdown came on one play on his second drive of the game—an 88-yard throw to Pierre Garcon. The rookie outdid Drew Brees, and led the Redskins to a 40–32 win over the Saints becoming the first QB to throw for more than 300 yards in a winning debut (Cam's 422-yard debut was a loss).

Fran Tarkenton, Minnesota Vikings — Sept. 17, 1961

The Vikings offense was struggling against the Bears, and so in the second quarter, veteran QB George Shaw was benched for a rookie named Fran Tarkenton. Thus began a Hall of Fame career. Tarkenton threw a touchdown pass on his first drive, and finished the game 17/23 for 250 yards, three passing TDs and a rushing TD. The Vikings beat the Bears 37–13.

Fran Tarkenton, Minnesota Vikings — Sept. 17, 1961

The Vikings offense was struggling against the Bears, and so in the second quarter, veteran QB George Shaw was benched for a rookie named Fran Tarkenton. Thus began a Hall of Fame career. Tarkenton threw a touchdown pass on his first drive, and finished the game 17/23 for 250 yards, three passing TDs and a rushing TD. The Vikings beat the Bears 37–13.

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